PhD Candidate in Political Science at Uppsala University

The Department of Political Science at Uppsala University is a creative and internationally successful research environment with approximately 60 senior researchers and 30 PhD students, and is one of the leading political science departments in the Nordic countries.

Some of the PhD positions may be linked to specific research projects. If this is the case, information will be published on this website: https://www.uu.se/institution/statsvetenskapliga/utbildning/forskarutbildning-i-statskunskap (https://www.uu.se/institution/statsvetenskapliga/utbildning/forskarutbildning-i-statskunskap). When you apply for a PhD position, you will be considered for all projects.

Job Responsibilities

The doctoral education comprises four years and is funded by an employment as a PhD candidate. PhD students are expected to pursue their doctoral education full-time and actively participate in the department's activities. Teaching or other duties at the department corresponding to a maximum of 20 percent may occur. The employment will be extended accordingly.

Qualifications

Basic eligibility corresponds to a degree at advanced level (equivalent to a Master's degree or higher), fulfilled course requirements for at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 at advanced level, or equivalent knowledge obtained in Sweden or abroad.

For specific eligibility for admission to the doctoral program in political science, the applicant must have satisfactory course results for 90 higher education credits in political science or equivalent knowledge obtained in Sweden or abroad.

The eligibility must be fulfilled no later than August 1, 2026. If eligibility is lacking at the time of application, any admission notice may be provisional until eligibility is confirmed. No merits beyond basic and specific eligibility can be supplemented. Decisions on admission are made based on the documentation submitted with the application and sent in before the deadline.

Very good written and oral skills in English and/or Swedish are required. Applicants who have not completed a Master's program in Swedish or English need to provide proof of language skills in English, e.g., by attaching test results from internationally recognized English tests, such as TOEFL or IELTS.

For employment as a PhD candidate, the holder must be admitted or will be admitted to doctoral education, where the ability to benefit from the education is crucial.

Application Procedure

The application must include the following:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• A brief personal letter (max 500 words) explaining why you are applying for the position.
• A research text, preferably a master's thesis, authored by the applicant. The text can be in English or Swedish. If the text is co-authored, it must be accompanied by a co-author certificate and a separately authored second text.
• A self-reflection discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the research text (max 1000 words).
• Certificates supporting your qualifications and education.
• Contact details for two academic references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). These may be contacted at a later stage of the admission process. Do not include any recommendation letters.

The application may need to include the following:

• A secondary research text authored by the applicant. It is mandatory to supplement the application with a secondary research text when the applicant's primary research text is co-authored. In other cases, a secondary research text is optional. The secondary research text can be in English or Swedish. If the text is co-authored, it must be accompanied by a co-author certificate.
• A co-author certificate describing the applicant's and all co-authors' independent contributions to the text. The certificate must be signed by the co-author(s).
• Certificates of results from internationally recognized English tests such as TOEFL or IELTS that describe the skills in oral and written English. Applicants who have completed a Master's program in Swedish or English do not need to attach language certificates.

Note that it is not allowed to use AI to generate research texts, personal letters, or self-reflections.

More detailed information about the application can be found via the link: https://www.uu.se/institution/statsvetenskapliga/utbildning/forskarutbildning-i-statskunskap (https://www.uu.se/institution/statsvetenskapliga/utbildning/forskarutbildning-i-statskunskap)

Regulations for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 §§ 1-7 and https://www.regler.uu.se/dokument/?contentId=626068 (https://www.regler.uu.se/dokument/?contentId=626068)

About the Employment

The employment is temporary, according to HF Chapter 5 § 7. The extent is full-time. Start date September 1, 2026, or by agreement. Place of employment: Uppsala

At Uppsala University, the salary level for PhD candidates follows a centrally agreed salary scale.

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Director of Graduate Studies Elin Bjarnegård, email: [email protected].

Welcome with your application no later than January 30, 2026, UFV-PA 2025/3673.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it’s like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The employment may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, a condition for employment is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]